Fulbright and Thomas Buergenthal Scholar, Aman from Pakistan, Pursued an LLM in Intellectual Property Law at George Washington University, United States

Hi there! I am Aman. I’ve grown up in Pakistan. My undergraduate degree was a BA-LLB (law and policy) from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). I am a lawyer and started out as a litigator, but my academic interests were always tilted towards law and tech. I currently work in the privacy and AI governance space.

Fulbright Scholarship Details

I received the Fulbright Scholarship from the US Department of State and the Thomas Buergenthal Scholarship from the George Washington University.

Educational Background

Undergraduate: BA-LLB (Law and Policy major with minor in English Literature), A levels: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English Literature.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to George Washington University?

How Did You Find Information About the Fulbright Scholarship and George Washington University?

Fulbright is a well-known scholarship in Pakistan and is often advertised in the major newspapers. My seniors in college also pushed me to apply and guided me through the process.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the GRE exam to be eligible to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship. I used Manhattan Prep for the maths section, and Magoosh for the writing and reading sections. I used past papers from ETS as well.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Fulbright Scholarship?

I was extremely methodical and began curating my application during my undergraduate degree. I knew that to secure a Fulbright Scholarship relatively early out of college, I would need to have an application that could compete with people applying with a few years of experience. I tailored my university experience to get a good GPA, leadership positions (student government and sports captaincy), publications, teaching assistant positions, and internships at notable law firms. Another thing that made a difference was a year of litigation experience. I was then able to secure the scholarship one academic year after my graduation.

How is (was) Your Experience at George Washington University? 

I was extremely lucky to have cultivated a close-knit group of friends earlier on. My university was in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C., and it was a very happening and dynamic location, right next to the IMF and a few blocks from the World Bank. The intellectual property program is among the top programs in the world, and I got to study from the best instructors (people whom I used to cite in my undergraduate essays!). There were a lot of talks, events, and networking opportunities. I especially enjoyed the glamorous Barrister’s ball and Lawloween. We also went on several field trips to places such as FTC, the World Bank, and USPTO – opportunities that are specific to D.C.

How Do You Rate George Washington University Academically and Why?

Academically, my experience was 9/10 as I got to study from former judges, practitioners, and academics. My legal writing and research courses were also helpful in cultivating the skill to think and write quickly, correctly, and clearly.

How Does George Washington University Support International Students?

To be honest, during my time, I believe the department dealing with international students was in a transition phase as our advisor had to leave mid-year. But now they have a fantastic advisor, and the Thomas Buergenthal Inn of Court is a great way for international students to connect with each other and obtain support from GW in terms of work opportunities. There were opportunities for support, for example, I was a representative for Themis Bar Review and was able to enroll in their bar prep course for free! (a huge relief -  those who know, know). I do think GW was very helpful when it came to other logistical matters and paperwork; it guided me correctly while I was preparing to eventually take the NY Bar exam.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I am not very sure, but if I were to guess, it could have been my publications, leadership positions, and professional experience specific to the degree I was applying for.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Nothing. Fulbright, GW, and Washington, D.C. were very lucky for me; I cannot imagine anything different.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Be authentic and connect the dots in your life that have led you to this juncture of your life. For personal statements, look back; for study objectives, look forward. Due to budget cuts, even fewer people will be shortlisted this year onwards, so it is important to tailor your application to make it specific to your goal. Do not chase generically highly ranked universities if you cannot justify why you want to apply to their program, as that could make you seem disingenuous. There is a two-year home residency requirement for Fulbright, which could be a factor to consider while you are applying and if you have long-term plans for settling in the U.S.